Tackling the stress of communications overload faced by today's business people, Lucent Technologies has announced the first Internet-Protocol (IP)-based multimedia software application for service providers that allows end users to prioritize and filter their calls and messages -- voice, multimedia, e-mail and fax -- across wired and wireless networks. Called MyNetWorks™, this revolutionary application gives users -- via a personalized web page or voice interface -- complete control over how and when people reach them. Lucent will demonstrate MyNetWorks at SUPERCOMM'99 in Booth 8039, Exhibit Hall H.

"MyNetWorks will enable service providers to build stronger relationships with their customers by putting the end user in complete charge of their own voice and data communications -- simply and intuitively," said Carly Fiorina, group president of Lucent's global service provider business. "This is one of the first applications to truly take advantage of Internet telephony, and capitalizes on the greater capacity and quality of service that's entering the network. As service providers deploy MyNetWorks using IP, they'll have the benefit of adding new features quickly and easily to targeted customers."

MyNetWorks is a next-generation application built on the Lucent Technologies Softswitch. This breakthrough software platform enables network operators to provide the same basic and advanced telephone services on and across converging networks, including local and long distance networks, corporate intranets and the Internet. Formerly called the PacketStar™ IP Services Platform, this Bell-Labs developed softswitch features open interfaces allowing service providers to tap the talents of independent software vendors and ultimately deliver a new wave of integrated voice and data services -- such as MyNetWorks. Lucent's MyNetWorks is also the first communications management service to use an IP distributed architecture using Java software language and the CORBA software standard. With this platform, software vendors can easily write advanced applications using distributed network resources such as speech recognition processors, without having to deal with the complexities of the network. Part of Lucent's Full Circle Program, also announced today, MyNetWorks stems from an initiative that will make it easier and faster for software developers to create new, customized broadband services such as multimedia electronic commerce, personal communications and broadcast-quality video over wireline and wireless networks.

Instant, Intuitive Communications with "e-Me™" The foundation for Lucent's MyNetWorks system is an electronic personification of the user called "e-Me." This unique feature intuitively filters information based on a list of contacts, schedule and set of rules provided by the user. The e-Me uses that information to deliver "personalized logic" - learning how the user communicates and recommending rules to prioritize communications. For example, a subscriber on her way to a meeting can use the e-Me to route an important call directly to her, while redirecting all other calls to her colleagues or into a messaging system. As a result, MyNetWorks empowers the user to be responsive to callers whether or not he or she is available. Users can uniformly control their communications through a customized web page that provides several user-friendly options for the subscriber.

Lucent developed the interface in collaboration with Organic, Inc., a leading on-line business builder offering expertise in electronic commerce web site development, strategic marketing and technology consulting. Through the MyNetworks web interface, subscribers can:

• create a database of individual people and groups based on incoming call data, as well as information input by the user.
• use a subscriber's contact information to make a phone call, send a message or set up collaborative call conferencing over the Internet thanks to a simple, click-to-dial feature.
• set up instructions to direct calls, creating back-up coverage across dispersed work teams.
• prioritize communications according to caller, topic and time.

MyNetWorks can also synchronize their database of contacts with personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal information management systems (PIMs), hand-held desktop management devices and network databases. This capability is made possible through Lucent's agreement with Puma Technology, a leading provider of mobile device management and synchronization software.

MyNetWorks also serves as a communications component to Lucent's Zingo portal, a gateway to the Internet designed to enable people on the move to access personalized information using a range of portable devices -- including wireless phones and hand-held PDAs.

Through collaborative development, Lucent will combine Zingo's wireless mobility portal with MyNetWorks to form a communications portal. This effort would enable service providers to offer an integrated electronic commerce, content and communications solution. The first release of MyNetWorks is expected to be in trial this fall and generally available in early 2000. It will support advanced features including voice recognition, and subsequent releases will be enhanced with text-to-speech conversion.

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronics components. Bell Labs is the research and development arm for the company. For more information about Lucent Technologies, visit the company's web site at http://www.lucent.com .

Java is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Puma Technology is a trademark of Puma Technology, Inc. that may be registered in some jurisdictions.

SOURCE: Lucent Technologies